Asmussen: Appleton update

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Each week during the offseason, beat writer Bob Asmussen weighs in on the game he loves:

College football still popular

Who knew? Despite an extremely sluggish economy, attendance for Division I-A college football fell just 691 fans per game in 2009. And that was coming off a record 2008 season. Basically, college football fans continue to make going to the games a priority. Attendance actually climbed by 4,411 at 18 neutral-site games. Bowl game attendance dropped just a bit, 118 per game for 34 bowls. The Big Ten had the top three schools in attendance (Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State) and seven of the top 30 (Illinois finished 29th). More good news for the Big Ten: Indiana was third among the school's with the largest increase, gaining 10,051 fans per game.

Tough times in Madison

Former News-Gazette All-Stater Kraig Appleton has been suspended from the Wisconsin football program for violation of team rules. It's a fate that doesn't surprise many. Appleton, a star at East St. Louis, was originally expected to play at Illinois. But on signing day, Appleton didn't have a letter of intent from Illinois to send in. His decision to sign with Wisconsin created plenty of discussion in his hometown. As a freshman, Appleton played in 11 games, catching three passes for 26 yards. He didn't have the impact that former teammate Terry Hawthorne experienced at Illinois. While we don't know what will happen to Appleton, don't rule out a transfer, possibly to a Division I-AA school. Because of off-the-field questions, few Division I-A schools will want to give Appleton a scholarship.

Michigan's man

Two losing seasons. Now, major NCAA violations leveled against the school. Still, Michigan stands by Rich Rodriguez, saying he will coach the 2010 season. But what about beyond 2010? First, if the team doesn't have a winning season, Rodriguez will be gone. The NCAA problems create an easy out for the school and could mean no cost to getting rid of him. You'd have to think Michigan would turn back to Les Miles, who has to realize now how difficult it is to be the coach at LSU. No matter what happens, Michigan football has taken a giant step backward. Bad timing as the school tries to sell luxury suites and club seats.

Volunteers pony up

New Tennessee coach Derek Dooley will make $1.8 million his first season, a $200,000 discount over the one-year salary of departed Lane Kiffin. You remember Kiffin, the guy who got out of Knoxville the second he heard from Southern Cal. Not good. Don't expect a similar move by Dooley, who is making more than he ever has in his life. And his assistants are getting paid well too, earning a combined $2.7 million for the upcoming season. Coaches like when they are able to reward their defensive coordinators $600,000, which is what Justin Wilcox will earn at Tennessee. One of the new staff members is former Illini assistant Harry Hiestand, who will earn $200,000 as offensive line coach.

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